ABOUT US
2021 Volunteer Impact
Volunteer Strength: 294
Volunteer Service: 14,268 hours
Missions: 56
Our Mission
The Hays County Community Emergency Response Team (HCCERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. HCCERT offers a consistent nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks.
What we do
CERT offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to take more active roles in emergency preparedness projects in their community.
CERT History
The CERT concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1985. The Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987 underscored the area-wide threat of a major disaster in California. Further, it confirmed the need for training civilians to meet their immediate needs.
CERT became a national program in 1993. There are now CERT programs in all 50 states, including many tribal nations and U.S. territories. Each is unique to its community and all are essential to building a Culture of Preparedness in the United States. There are over 2,700 local CERT programs nationwide and more than 600,000 people have trained since CERT became a national program.
Hays County CERT Lineage
Activated on March 7, 2003, at Wimberley Fire Rescue, Hays County, Texas, as Wimberley Valley Community Emergency Response Team.
Participated in the Memorial Day Flood
2004
Participated in Tropical Storm Erin
August 14-August 20, 2007
Participated in Labor Day Wildfire
September 4, 2011
Participated in Severe Storms and Flooding
October 30-October 31, 2013
Redesignated on March 3, 2015, at Hays County Office of Emergency Services, Hays County, Texas, as Hays County Community Emergency Response Team.
Participated in Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding
May 4, 2015 - June 22nd, 2015
Participated in Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding
October 22, 2015 - October 31st, 2015
Participated in Hurricane Harvey
August 23, 2017 - September 15, 2017
Participated in Hurricane Laura
August 23, 2020 - August 27th, 2020
Participated in COVID-19 Pandemic
January 2020 - Present
Participated in Severe Winter Storm
February 11th, 2021 - February 21st, 2021
Honors
Hays County Sheriff's Office Special Award
February 21,, 2008
Hays County Commissioners Court Recognition
August 29, 2017
City of Kyle Proclamation
September 6, 2022
Hays County Community Emergency Response Team Divisions
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San Marcos Division
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Kyle / Buda Division
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Dripping Springs Division
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Wimberley Division
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Texas State University Division